Search 62305 Camino Questions

LIVE from the Camino Slow Camino de Madrid

Time of past OR future Camino
202?
Started my Camino from Tres Cantos this morning. If you’re using the Buen Camino app to navigate out of Tres Cantos, the map did something weird after crossing the highway. But the yellow arrows will steer you right.
Be aware if you pick up your credential at the Church of Santiago and John the Baptist, you need your passport. They let me get mine without, but it was more complicated.
Glad I walked only as far as Colmenar today, still felt some jet lag. Met up with @walkingman06, but he was headed for Manzanares. Gran Hotel Chiscon has a 40€ pilgrim rate, breakfast included.
Manzanares tomorrow.
 
Last edited:
Camino Badge
Get something for your Camino Pack
Started my Camino from Tres Cantos this morning. If you’re using the Buen Camino app to navigate out of Tres Cantos, the map did something weird after crossing the highway. But the yellow arrows will steer you right.
Be aware if you pick up your credential at the Church of Santiago and John the Baptist, you need your passport. They let me get mine without, but it was more complicated.
Glad I walked only as far as Colmenar today, still felt some jet lag. Met up with @walkingman06, but he was headed for Manzanares. Gran Hotel Chiscon has a 40€ pilgrim rate.
Manzanares tomorrow.
Thanks for the update. I set off next week. Mel
 
Good info. I always get my credential ahead of time but I am behind the power curve and will need to pick up next Sunday or Monday before heading out on Tuesday from the Cathedral. Lodging is prebooked the first two nights in Madrid and the first three days of hiking. The rest we will play by ear and by ear I mean paying attention to what those ahead are posting! Thanks ahead of time.
 
I was in Manzanares last night and stayed at the Hostel La Pedrisa. Nice place with a good bar and a private terrace for guests with a great view of the mountains. €25 I believe and I roomed with another pilgrim from Quebec.
Ray & Rosa are walking the Primitivo so their place was not available.
 
Last edited:
Just planning my trip in Sept. Expect to walk to Colmenar on day one then to Cercedilla and then to Segovia. Will book those first few days and then wing it from thereon.
 
Camino Jewellery
A selection of Camino Jewellery
I’m at La Pedriza in Manzanares tonight and I second @walkingman06, it’s a place with a cool vibe 😎. I reserved a bed, but I’m the only one in an eight bunk room tonight. Nice town, huge stork nests with the proud parents clacking away. Cercedilla tomorrow.
Ivan at Bar Añe reconfirmed by WhatsApp there’s no place to stay there. I’ll probably walk a short day from Segovia to Los Huertos.
 
Last edited:
Nice walking today, Manzanares - Mataelpino - Navacerrada- Cercedilla. There’s a bar in the plaza in Mataelpino for coffee, and you can get a sello in the Ayuntamiento across the plaza. I’ve been following arrows as well as using the Buen Camino app. I use the app when I haven’t seen any arrows for a while, and that’s working well.
At the Lafonda Real restaurant outside Cercedilla, you’ll turn left on a paved road. Watch for yellow arrows, indicating a turn left off the road. Don’t keep following the paved road as indicated by the Buen Camino app like I did. It’s not a good idea🙄😳
Makes for a longer walk.
 
Looking forward to your report on tomorrow's hike; I took the cycle route to Segovia a couple of weeks ago and it was interesting, perhaps the best day of my 12 day tour. Richard
 
I’m in Segovia today seeing the sights, however I’ve had a situation come up back home so I will need to return to the States. At least I got the toughest part (I presume) of the Camino de Madrid completed. I’ll plan to pick up from here at another time. Buen Camino.
 
2023 Camino Guides
The 2023 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Left Hostel Maya this morning at 7:15. (Maya has fallen on hard times. Restaurant is closed, but the room was comfy. The municipal music and dance school is across the street. Charming at 7:00, 8:00… they specialize in drumming… 9:00… is that flamenco or tap?… Peace finally reigned around 10:15.) Hostel Longinos might be worth a try.
Reached Puerto de Fuenfria just before 11:00. Tough climbing, but so beautiful it takes your mind off the effort. Temps were between 46 and 52F, perfect for the walk.
I followed the Santiago arrows until just past the open pasture and cattle, then turned off to Valsain.
Good lunch at Las Palomas. Booked OYÓ La Chata back in February for only 25.20€ on Berking, breakfast included. Small but comfy room, nice lounge. No complaints!!
 
Last edited:
Walked to Segovia yesterday via San Ildefonso. No flowers blooming in the gardens and no fountains fountaining, but a lovely diversion. Opted to walk along the road instead of the countryside route due to a Charlie horse in my hip.

Hospedaje San Francisco by the aqueduct is clean and comfortable. Something near Plaza Mayor would also be good, closer to the cathedral and Alcázar. Toured both this morning.

Deutchebank ATM on Calle Acuaducto did not charge me an ATM fee.

Short walk to Los Huertos tomorrow, called to confirm albergue is open (no reservations).
 
From Madrid to Cercedilla, high 60s to low 70s F, I was walking in shorts. Up to Puerta Fuenfria and down to Valsain, high 40s to mid 50s. Warm sun, chilly wind. Today in Segovia it was quite chilly, never over 54F and cold wind. Dry except for a bit of rain this afternoon. Forecast 38F tonight.

The usual springtime variation I guess😄.
 
It was indeed 38F this morning when I left Segovia, but thanks to the inexpensive down vest I bought at the bazaar yesterday I was quite comfortable.

Since the albergue in Valseca is closed, the route is now marked directly to Los Huertos if you want to skip Valseca.

Staying at the municipal in Los Huertos tonight. Señora Úrsula is a warm and kind hospitalera, and there is a bar here in town that doesn’t even show up on Google Maps. So it’s a fine stop if you don’t want to walk all the way to Santa Maria from Segovia. Just ask for Señora Ursula’s house, close by the albergue and town hall. The number listed on Gronze is her number.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0899.jpeg
    IMG_0899.jpeg
    3.5 MB · Views: 29
Last edited:
Create your own ad
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Hi all .. we are 4 Kiwis on the Madrid and can absolutely confirm that Los Huertos albergue is a gem that should not be missed. New (ish?) Super Clean, wifi and extras ! And Ursula is an angel. The bar opens at 6pm is great plus we got supplies from vege and bread vans around 1130. A misconception is that the bar n albergue are attached but they are not. Ane on the other hand was closed n had nothing. Support Los Huertos !! ❤️
 
There’s really no place to stay in Santa Maria de Real, unless you luck into a room at Rincón Naïf, so Hostal Avanto just outside of town is it. Seems people have found it difficult to reserve here. You have to call direct — I called Friday from Segovia for a Sunday reservation, my call was answered and my reservation was accepted. Now that I’m here, I see that it is a very busy place, so just keep trying until you get through.

Señor Julio, who I believe is the owner, is really a very gracious host. Sunday lunchtime is extremely busy, but he seated me and made sure I was happy with my meal and accommodations. Room was 28€, Sunday lunch 15€.
 
Confirm the above.. also Avanto about 1.5km out of town.. as u enter town take the last left hand road before the main road. It goes behind the Repsol gas station.. follow dirt road and it seems to veer away from the main road but there is a track back to Avanto sitting all by itself. Safer.
 
Camino Jewellery
A selection of Camino Jewellery
I started the Camino de Madrid on Friday.
Generally I follow the arrows or Camino markers and if unsure I use the Buen Camino apps map with route indicator.
I am glad that I heeded the warnings on this thread to take enough water with me daily as I've only seen fuentes with water in Madrid and today on the mountain.
Had a good day walking from the Iglesia in Madrid to Tres Cantos. I stayed with Nieves in her apartment. Booked through AirBnB and had a very good experience there.
On Saturday I walked to Manazanares el Real and stayed at Hostal La Pedriza. All good. Ray & Rosa were unfortunately not available. They are on the Primitivo. Got breakfast at 07:00 on Sunday morning at the Panaria opposite the church. Great place!
Walked from Manzanares to Cercedilla on Sunday. Stayed at the Albergue Villa Castora. Had a 2 bed room with private bathroom and balcony all to myself for €19.80. Breakfast is only served at 08:30, but you can ask for a picnic breakfast to take with if you leave early. The albergue in Las Dehesas is another possibility if you want to shorten the ascent!
Accommodation in Segovia was very scarce when I booked as there is an international puppet show on in the city for 2 weeks. Staying in Hostal San Jaime, €30 - single room with shared bathroom.
Hope to get a bar open tomorrow morning after 07:00 for coffee or else on the way to Santa Maria as I have a booking at Hostal Avanto. Will be a long day. Does Hostal Avanto also serve food on arrival in the late afternoon/early evening? Or would I have to go back into town for a meal?
So far, so good on the Camino de Madrid.
 
I’m at the Villeguillo albergue. Contrary to Gronze and Google Map, the bar here is closed on Mondays, not Tuesdays. They open at 9:00 am, close from 4:00-6:00, reopen 6:00 and then close when they close.

My experience with navigating on this Camino: There are some differences in route markings that can be confusing. The path markings of the Amigos of the Camino de Madrid may vary from those of the government of Castile y Leon, and from some of the old yellow arrows and markers, and from the Buen Camino app. So you’ll find places like the one below, exiting Nava de La Asunción.
IMG_0950.jpeg
I’ve found that I sometimes need to double-check yellow arrows against Buen Camino, or as a last resort, Google Maps. Just to say, navigating this Camino can be confusing, and I’m not sure how well I would do without a cell phone. But be assured you’ll reach your destination in the end.😊
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0977.jpeg
    IMG_0977.jpeg
    3.2 MB · Views: 12
We had a good stay at Hostal Avanto after a very long stage from Segovia to Santa Maria.
Sleeping in the albergue in Coca tonight. It really need a proper cleaning as there are cobwebs everywhere and even the bathroom can use a proper cleaning. No toilet paper either.
I hope the albergue in Alcazaren will be somewhat better than this.
 
Benita, the albergue in Alcazaren is very nice! Bar Real was closed today, but you can pick up the key at Bar Hogar or at the city office on the square. And the food at Bar Hogar is phenomenal— lovely hosts will treat you right.

Edit: The bar closest to the albergue, Bar Albino, does not keep a key for the albergue (nor do they serve food). Keys are at Bar Real, Bar Hogar and the Ayuntamiento.
 
Last edited:
Camino Badge
Get something for your Camino Pack
Benita, the albergue in Alcazaren is very nice! Bar Real was closed today, but you can pick up the key at Bar Hogar or at the city office on the square. And the food at Bar Hogar is phenomenal— lovely hosts will treat you right.
Thanks, Laurie! This is good to know. Looking forward to it! We had a good Menu del Dia at lunchtime today at Bar la Muralla here in Coca where we picked up the key to the albergue. And the castle is really impressive!
 
Benita, the albergue in Alcazaren is very nice! Bar Real was closed today, but you can pick up the key at Bar Hogar or at the city office on the square. And the food at Bar Hogar is phenomenal— lovely hosts will treat you right.
Hi Laurie
I can second your opinion on the albergue in Alcazarén & the hospitality we experienced at Bar Hogar.
 
I’m in Simancas tonight at the Posada del Arte. Highly recommended, an old house with great charm, tended by Sra. Consuela, for 35€. Good restaurants in town, too — a little break from albergues for a night😊.

I’ll stay in Cigunuelas tomorrow — confirmed the albergue is open, keys at the bar — so I can visit the Visigothic church in Wamba on Sunday (I hope!).
 
We are 4 pilgrims staying at the Albergue in Puente Duoro tonight. Was warmly received by Paul Garland. Charming place! We had an excellent Menu del Dia at Restaurante Mirarrios on the corner before reaching the albergue for €14.
 
How to avoid failure "be prepared"
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Note: The keys for the Cigunuela albergue are at the bar next to the casa rural “Inn of the Hunter” (Refugio del Cazador) near the square/Ayuntamiento. The bar owner was willing to feed a hungry pilgrim pretty much any time of day.
 
Short day to Nava, staying at Hotel Frey Sebastian. It’s ok, but terrible food…

I’ll be at the Villeguillo albergue tomorrow. I verified the keys will be at the bar. Google had them closed Tuesdays, but the mayor said it’s Mondays they’re closed. Relief!
 
Appreciate the continued updates. In Santa Maria at Hostal Avano tonight. Will stay at at the Casa de la Paca in Coca tomorrow night. Will stay at the Albergue in Alacazaren on Monday. Been staying at hotels and haven't seen one other Peregrino on the road over the last five days. Is that pretty much everybody's experience walking now or are we just in a lull? Thanks!
 
Camino Badge
Get something for your Camino Pack
We will keep looking.. we started on Tuesday, so we thought that most folks might be starting on the weekends.
 
We had a good stay at Peñaflor de Hornija... the town and the albergue. The bar to the left of rhe albergue served a good meal and the atmosphere was very festive.
The bar in Castromonte and Valverde de Campos had good coffee.
Staying at Hostal Duque de Osuna in Medina de Rioseco tonight. Close to all the noteworthy sights and good restaurants/bars just down the street.
 
Saw our first other Pilgrim today. Day 6!

On the Santa Maria to Coca stage nothing was open as far as services till we got to Nava de la Asuncion. Punto de Encuentro was the first place that was open and we didnt miss the opportunity to actually get something midday after the last two stages were devoid of services. Great smaller bocadillos. Owner was patient with my pitiful Spanish and as we finished came over to our table with a sello and map of the area as well as a small yellow arrow for each of us. Nice touch and very friendly. received_1392068724971395.jpeg
 
Peñaflor: The phone number listed on Gronze (679 1405 32) is correct, just call Paqui when you arrive and she will come to give you a key (2:00-9:30 pm). Lots of beds, kitchen, place to hang clothes. Bar Hornija was closed for a funeral, but Bar Avenida was open on Sunday for a good meal (closed Mondays).

Castromonte: Albergue looked very nice, but the Bar With No Name in town seems to sell only baked goods along with drinks. Look for the lottery sign. Closed Wednesdays.
IMG_1117.jpeg

Valverde: Bar is closed Mondays.
 
Wamba: If you can arrange to go through Wamba on Saturday/Sunday, I highly recommend a visit to the Iglesia de Santa Maria. The church dates from the 10th and 12th centuries, Romanesque and Mozárabe. Beautiful murals and an ossuary. It’s being considered for World Heritage status. See it now and avoid the crowds😊.

Guided tours in Spanish are regularly offered Saturdays and Sundays from 11-1:30 and 5-7:30. Other times may be arranged by calling 679 142 730. No charge for peregrinos.

I believe the guide close the doors after we gathered inside just after 11 o’clock, so I don’t think you can just wander freely apart from the tour.

It’s a special place.
 
How to avoid failure "be prepared"
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Medina de Rioseco: After reading comments about the albergue on Gronze, I opted for a hotel. Lots of choices, restaurants, shops and bars.

Next day’s walk along the Canal de Castilla is lovely. Took my time and I’m in the small albergue in the church in Tamariz. It’s humble but provides everything you need, with warm hospitality from Ivan and Alex. Ivan will open the bar for pilgrims but is trying to stay closed during the week until maybe July (new baby). Gronze phone listing is correct, Ivan responds to WhatsApp messages.
 
I completed the Camino de Madrid today.
Had a lovely, warm welcome at the albergues in Cuenca de Campos and Santervás de Campos the last 2 days. Hospitaleros took great care of us and both albergues can be recommended. Had good rooms, many beds and good bathrooms.

The bar in Cuenca de Campos is closed on Mondays and the small shop just around the corner from the albergue is only open till 13:00. You can cook in the kitchen of the albergue.

There is a bar in Santervás which serves coffee & drinks. The hospitaleros will cook dinner and everyone have a communal meal together.

I met 4 other pilgrims along the way and had a lovely Camino in their company.
 
Santervas this evening, another 5-star albergue, donativo, with a delicious dinner provided by hospitaleros Gabriela and Norman. The Centro Cultural bar is open for drinks. The Iglesia San Gervasio is stunning.

And I saw about a dozen Great Bustards just before town! You’ll see large bird droppings on the path— duck or goose sized — if they’re nearby. Keep an eye out!!😉
 
Last edited:
Well done, Benita! Will you continue on to Santiago?

I’m in the Villalon albergue today, one of the best equipped and cleanest albergues I can remember anywhere (8€ plus donativo breakfast). Paco and Pilar, the hospitaleros here, open at 3:00. Lunch available in town.
Hi Laurie
Yes... I am in Mansilla de las Mulas tonight.
Will continue on the Camino Francés to Ponferrada and from there on the Camino Invierno to Santiago.
The Camino de Madrid was all that I could have wished for!
Enjoy the quiet and the open spaces while you are still there!
 
John Brierley 2023 Camino Guide
Get your today and start planning.
Medina de Rioseco: After reading comments about the albergue on Gronze, I opted for a hotel. Lots of choices, restaurants, shops and bars.

Next day’s walk along the Canal de Castilla is lovely. Took my time and I’m in the small albergue in the church in Tamariz. It’s humble but provides everything you need, with warm hospitality from Ivan and Alex. Ivan will open the bar for pilgrims but is trying to stay closed during the week until maybe July (new baby). Gronze phone listing is correct, Ivan responds to WhatsApp messages.
Did you stay at Hospedium Vittoria Colonna? I’m booked there in September.
 
Hi we stayed there and it is great. Sort of thru town but close to cafes and the canal out..and the best cafe for breakfast
 

Attachments

  • 20230521_091127.jpg
    20230521_091127.jpg
    2.6 MB · Views: 6
Thank you for all of these posts. They are very useful for those of us planning to walk the Madrid later this year.
 
So I arrived in Sahagun yesterday and received my completion certificate at the Santuario de La Virgen Peregrina on the way into town. Stayed at Hostal San Juan, nice place with breakfast included. Trained to Leon today for two nights before I return to Madrid and home.

Although I’m sure it will take me some time to process this Camino, I can say that I’m very happy I chose to walk the Madrid. I’m not sure it’s for newbie pilgrims, due to the relative lack of infrastructure (compared to the Frances or Portuguese, for example). If you don’t have basic Spanish to contact albergues and so on, you might find yourself stuck for a place to stay (like Añe). You might have to spend more for accommodations where there’s no Albergue; or you might spend the night in a more Spartan Albergue than you’d like.

But you can tailor stages on the Madrid to walk 20-25k/day, or 12-20 like I did. Spending time in Madrid getting over your jetlag, and then walking out of the city, is fantastic. The walk to and over the Guadarramas — Roman road and all — and spending time visiting Segovia are special memories. You might not get your cafe con leche just when you want it, but you get to spend some time in small bars and cafes with local folks and get a glimpse of life in the small pueblos. You can do some online research to learn the stories of the towns you’re passing through (tiny Tamariz has quite a history), and the sweep of Spanish (human) history: the Celts, the Visigoths, the Inquisition, Reconquista…

If you find the Meseta boring, and if you don’t like pine trees, this isn’t the Camino for you. If you want a lot of social interaction with other pilgrims, you won’t find it on the Madrid. If you’re looking for solitude, contemplation or a change in perspective, think about the Madrid. Tour the church in Wamba, and watch for the bustards around Santervas. Enough … sigh.

Buen Camino, peregrinos!
 
John Brierley 2023 Camino Guide
Get your today and start planning.
So I arrived in Sahagun yesterday and received my completion certificate at the Santuario de La Virgen Peregrina on the way into town. Stayed at Hostal San Juan, nice place with breakfast included. Trained to Leon today for two nights before I return to Madrid and home.

Although I’m sure it will take me some time to process this Camino, I can say that I’m very happy I chose to walk the Madrid. I’m not sure it’s for newbie pilgrims, due to the relative lack of infrastructure (compared to the Frances or Portuguese, for example). If you don’t have basic Spanish to contact albergues and so on, you might find yourself stuck for a place to stay (like Añe). You might have to spend more for accommodations where there’s no Albergue; or you might spend the night in a more Spartan Albergue than you’d like.

But you can tailor stages on the Madrid to walk 20-25k/day, or 12-20 like I did. Spending time in Madrid getting over your jetlag, and then walking out of the city, is fantastic. The walk to and over the Guadarramas — Roman road and all — and spending time visiting Segovia are special memories. You might not get your cafe con leche just when you want it, but you get to spend some time in small bars and cafes with local folks and get a glimpse of life in the small pueblos. You can do some online research to learn the stories of the towns you’re passing through (tiny Tamariz has quite a history), and the sweep of Spanish (human) history: the Celts, the Visigoths, the Inquisition, Reconquista…

If you find the Meseta boring, and if you don’t like pine trees, this isn’t the Camino for you. If you want a lot of social interaction with other pilgrims, you won’t find it on the Madrid. If you’re looking for solitude, contemplation or a change in perspective, think about the Madrid. Tour the church in Wamba, and watch for the bustards around Santervas. Enough … sigh.

Buen Camino, peregrinos!
Muchas Gracias, peregrina!
 

Most read last week in this forum

I am staying at Albergue Juvenil Villacastora in Cercedilla tonight and I am in heaven. It is a modern, clean single room (two beds) with a modern bathroom including a hair dryer with its own...
Day Zero: Well, today was a long day zero on the Camino. Arriving in Madrid with just a few minutes sleep (economy seats make poor beds combined with a couple of separate rounds of food service in...

How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2023 Camino Guides
Back
Top